Skip to main content

Transportation 2.0: Detroit shows way forward

OEMs, suppliers, and technology firms are in a race to modernise our current transportation systems. These changes will bring about adaptations in how people fundamentally interact with transportation and how they provide and receive goods and services. What new business models will emerge from these changes? What challenges? Will modalities be combined? These are the overarching questions that are vital to prepare markets, governments, and researchers for the future. Delegates at the ITS America Annual Me
May 25, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
© F11photo | Dreamstime.com
OEMs, suppliers, and technology firms are in a race to modernise our current transportation systems. These changes will bring about adaptations in how people fundamentally interact with transportation and how they provide and receive goods and services. What new business models will emerge from these changes? What challenges? Will modalities be combined? These are the overarching questions that are vital to prepare markets, governments, and researchers for the future.  Delegates at the ITS America Annual Meeting Detroit have a unique opportunity to hear about, and understand, the overarching questions facing us.


Connectivity, Autonomy and the Future of Transportation and Transport

AI, Machine Learning, and Autonomy are spreading through multiple modes of transportation and transport, and the use of these technologies will grow in ubiquity. As these technologies become standard, we will see multiple changes in the combining and expansion of modes and it will change the nature of how we interact with goods and services. How will markets change? How will the workforce adapt? How will cities and states manage the data generated? What type of productivity growth will this create? How will commercial fleets change? What opportunities and challenges does the future hold? What is the next generation of autonomy and what is beyond autonomy?

Electrification and Infrastructure

As we move to a new transportation network with increasingly electrified vehicles using more sustainable energy sources, investment in intelligent infrastructure becomes a critical need.  How do we build and maintain the core infrastructure? How does electrification change freight? What are the next steps in creating a majority electric fleet? What is next?

Regulatory and Financial Challenges Related to Deployment of ITS Technologies

ITS technologies hold incredible potential to make communities more safe, accessible, equitable, sustainable, and economically vibrant. Unfortunately, building and deploying ITS technologies will not be easy. Before technologies are deployed on a large scale, regulatory and funding consideration will need to be addressed.  How can cities, states, and technology companies work together to find solutions that will ultimately bring ITS technologies to communities large and small across the country?

Cybersecurity and Privacy Opportunities and Challenges

Cybersecurity and privacy are both key components of an intelligent transportation system.  How should the industry move forward in seeking out a universal framework?  What are the greatest challenges presented by cybersecurity?  What opportunities are created for new emergent firms focused on cyber security in the ITS space? What is the future of cybersecurity as edge and quantum computing come on line?

Transportation Systems Operations

Emerging technology is all essentially geared to the same goal: addressing practical challenges in the day-to-day operation of our transportation facilities. Whereas connected and automated vehicle systems showcase the future of transportation systems operations, proven intelligent transportation systems and traffic management technologies continue to offer the potential to improve the operations and safety of the transportation network.

The Impacts & Opportunities of Big Data

As the availability of operational data grows, the transportation community faces challenges associated with how to manage, store and analyse all of this data. These challenges, and associated opportunities, will be exacerbated by the deployment of connected vehicles. It is important to learn from other sectors dealing with this influx of data in order to address challenges and optimise benefits.

Related Content

  • Car parking and parked cars need not be a technological black hole
    March 19, 2015
    David Crawford mines the potential of joined-up parking. Drivers conventionally see parking as an isolated, often frustrating, action; but collectively their attempts to find a space impact hugely on traffic flows. But new analyses of parking events look set to deliver real benefits to motorists and cities alike. Initiatives getting under way around the world are highlighting the advantages of connecting up parking events and – eventually - parked cars. The hoped-for results include not only enhanced urban
  • Wi-SUN: here’s why mesh networking works
    May 10, 2019
    There are several networking options available for smart city planners. Phil Beecher of Wi-SUN Alliance makes the case for wireless mesh networks when it comes to rolling out IoT solutions The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing fast. Connecting thousands of sensors and control systems in bi-directional networks is paving the way for a new generation of smart city and transport infrastructures. For many of these applications, wireless connectivity is essential where cable installation is not practical.
  • Managed lane operators: meet the CAV pioneers
    June 26, 2018
    There is some controversy over the testing of connected and autonomous vehicles – but Robert Deans of Transurban North America explains how managed lanes could be vital in the development of CAVs, benefiting everyone. Managed lane operators have the opportunity to establish themselves as leaders in the testing and roll-out of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), assisting and accelerating the transition of CAVs onto road networks to deliver economic and safety benefits. Managed lane facilities
  • Velodyne applies AI to traffic monitoring 
    May 18, 2021
    Lidar-based AI traffic solution installed at multiple intersections in New Brunswick, New Jersey